Keep/Purge: Maternity clothes

I'm planning to get rid of my maternity clothes...I just found out my cousin is expecting so I'm going to send her a big box of my maternity clothes. They are mostly from my previous pregnancies. I didn't buy a whole lot of maternity clothes this time around since I stuck mostly to stretchy non-maternity clothes, so there are only a few newer pieces that I'm considering keeping for now. Are any of these worth saving for the transition period until I make it back down to my pre-pregnancy weight/figure, or should I just get rid of them now?

1-3. Grey and white floral tunic. Daniel Rain from Pea in the Pod. I removed the empire waist self-tie. Does this work as a tunic, or is it too boxy/big?
1-4. Burgundy skinny jeans. Mavi from Pea in the Pod. I lived in these skinnies all winter, so I'm kind of partial to keeping them. They fit pretty well still, but they have an over the tummy panel which doesn't hide anything. Should I keep these for now till I am smaller and can find another pair of regular burgundy skinnies next fall? I also have a pair of black H&M skinnies that I might keep for now if I don't fit into my old Gap black Real Skinny trousers.
4. Pea in the Pod mustard cowl neck sweater. Ugh, this was so cute on me before, but not anymore (same with the Japanese Weekend black and grey diagonal striped top, sigh)! It's form-fitting and really shows off my belly, which is great when you're pregnant, but not when you have a leftover baby bumplet (or "pretend baby" which is what my kids call my belly now). But I'm considering keeping this for now to wear under jackets because it matches some of my other pieces like the chevron skirt.
5. Japanese Weekend burgundy shirt with faux collar/sleeves. Another lumpy bumpy mess, but I am probably going to keep this to wear under jackets or sweaters, to use the faux collar/sleeves.
6. Japanese Weekend blue/white nursing top. This was one of my favorite tops from my first two pregnancies, but I never wore it this time and now that I tried it on again, I realize it has to go, along with all my other JW stuff from my previous pregnancies. At least hopefully my cousin will get some good use out of my maternity clothes!

I know I really shouldn't wear maternity clothes any more now that I'm not pregnant, but I don't want to invest a ton into a transitional wardrobe when hopefully I can just fit back into all my old clothes in a few more months. It was helpful to take these pics and try stuff on, because I can see how the form-fitting tops really show off the lumps that should stay hidden. And you guys can see that yes, I really am using my apple hiding tricks for my WIW outfits, I didn't magically go right back to my old figure! Thanks for your advice and comments!

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12 years ago

annaj

Veteran

I found that once I was no longer pregnant, I didn't want to wear maternity clothes any more - regardless of how good they looked! The exception was my maternity jeans because they were so comfortable, and the stretchy top was great for hiding lumps and bumps while I was nursing.

If you think you may have another baby, I would suggest keeping a few basics. Otherwise keep a few things if they are especially sentimental, but give away the rest - if you know someone who will use them, the "purge" is so much easier than just donating to good will (for me anyway).

goldenpig

(website)

Thanks Annaj, I am definitely done and sending pretty much all my maternity clothes to my cousin...just wondering if i should keep a few pieces for the transition postpartum period since I still have about 15 lb over my pre-preg weight and not all my old stuff fits right now. I did buy some transition jeans (#5-6) but I don't want to go hog wild buying transitional clothes, when I hopefully won't need them much longer.

Scarlet

I would keep those burgundy jeans for now. I also think the black and white tunic would work with a little jacket or cardigan over it. For the other tops it depends on whether it's okay if you can't take off the outer layer on top of them.

I had a sweater I loved during my last trimester and fourth trimester, but now I realized it just looks stretched out in the belly and not so great, so I left it behind when I was flying home from a trip with lots of luggage. It's funny, though I feel sentimental about that sweater. (I left it at my Mom's, so it's not gone gone.) in any case your cousin is very lucky to get your clothes. I passed on a lot of my stuff to a coworker who is pregnant. Even though I might need it again, it made me feel good to get it out of here for now.

rute

I would keep the burgundy jeans and the first Tunic for a more couple of months!

Neelie

I also like the bergundy jeans and the black and white tunic, though it could use a cardigan or something over it.

Marigold

Active Member

Keep the burgundy jeans especially! If you still need bigger sizes at the end of the summer, then buy new ones ;). Give yourself time for bouncing back, you are looking great!

Glory

I would keep the items for a bit longer because you don't want to purchase too much for the transition phase. You can always get rid of them later. You are looking fabulous.

sarah

I would keep the jeans and tunic, because those transition months are so hard to manage (at least they were for me - I didn't know what to wear). But when you're sick of them, send them to your cousin!

Thistle

I echo what everyone else is saying. Keep the jeans for sure, and the tunic. I would part with the rest as I don't think they are as fab.

You have such a fabulous closet, and you deserve to look and feel great at this time. So even if you do have to pick up a few transition items, you can always pass those on to your cousin as well.

rae

Hm, I think keep the jeans. The other stuff is not as awesome or as flattering as your non-maternity clothes that you wore while pregnant.

DonnaF

Another vote for keeping the jeans & tunic until your baby is six to nine months old.

Sara L.

I also like the jeans and tunic. You might not even need the jeans for that much longer since the weather is warming up (or at least I find jeans too hot in the summer). If you don't want to spend much money on transition clothes, you could also try thrift stores.

Isis

I'd keep only the jeans; I like your other transitional clothes better. Lucky cousin; she will love getting the box!

rachylou

What rute said. The skinnies and first top... if you really feel a need to keep one.

Aida

Another vote to keep the jeans but pass the tops along

Sylvie

Agree with everyone else. Jeans + first top (but only if you have a top shortage). Everything else needs to go.

K. Period.

I vote jeans only. I think you have other great items to wear for now and the tops are not up to snuff for your fabulousness. For the transitional time, better to have fewer items that make you feel really good than hold on to items that are just okay. The jeans look good.

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